Can Tho (VNA) – New farming solutions havehelped reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by nearly 17% in extensive shrimp farmsand nearly 11% in intensive farms, according to a research on monitoring GHGemissions from shrimp farming ponds.

The research is part of the "Energy transition and climatechange mitigation in Mekong Delta" project co-funded by ActionAid Vietnamand Bread for the World (BfdW) from 2021 to 2023.

Associate Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, a senior lecturer from CanTho University who represents the research team, said that GHG emissionsrecorded in shrimp farms in Dong Hai district of Bac Lieu province showed that emissionsreleased from intensive shrimp farming model are 15 times higher than that from extensive shrimp farming model.

Findings from the research revealed that while farmingdensity, pond dredging and shrimp breeding are the main factors that determinethe amount of GHG emitted from extensive shrimp farming ponds, in the intensiveshrimp farming model, electricity and shrimp feed are the two major sources ofemissions, in which electricity consumption makes up 82% and feed 17% of the total GHG emission, Dr. Tuan said at a conference on November 3.

He said that basing on this result, the research team cameup with a number of GHG reduction solutions, including reducing electricityconsumption, replacing electricity from fossil energy with renewable energy,treating shrimp waste with biogas composting, optimising shrimp feed intake, changing feeding methods, changingshrimp stocking density, and improving the water treatment system to avoid shrimpdiseases.

After nine months of application of the solutions, the GHG emissions releasedfrom extensive shrimp farming model dropped 16.9%, while that from intensiveshrimp farming model was cut by 10.8%.

Nguyen Trung Hieu, Vice Director of the Bac Lieu Departmentof Agriculture and Rural Development, said that Bac Lieu, one of the largestshrimp production hubs of the country, has focused on expanding the intensive shrimpfarms to reduce negative impacts on the environment.

He held that the determination of major emission sources andprovision of solutions to reduce GHG emissions from shrimp ponds areof great help, which needs to be popularised in the coming time.

Associate Prof. Nguyen Hieu Trung, Vice Principal of Can ThoUniversity, said that the research of GHG emissions from aquacultureponds and the application of GHG emission reduction measures in aquaculturewill helping raise public understanding about the importance of reducingemissions and ensuring the sustainability of the aquaculture industry in theMekong Delta region, contributing to realising Vietnam's commitments toimplement the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

At the conference, representatives of state managementagencies, research agencies, businesses and shrimp farmers discussed solutionsto replicate the shrimp farming model to reduce GHG emissions in the MekongDelta region. They emphasised the need to strengthen the issuance of guidingdocuments and organise training to improve awareness and techniques for shrimpfarmers, along with favourable policies in the field./.